We talk with festival founder Rebekah Sherman-Myntti about the importance of showcasing independent films and the exciting state of NYC’s downtown film scene.

There are a lot of film festivals out there. But when filmmaker Rebekah Sherman-Myntti first approached our very own Roxy Cinema curator Illyse Singer about starting a festival on her own terms, Singer was intrigued and The Downtown Festival was born.

Partnering with Roxy Cinema for their first ever showcase, The Downtown Festival describes itself as “celebration of emerging and established independent artists across film, music, art, and culture in New York City”. The programming itself consists of both World and New York premieres of feature films by up-and-coming and established filmmakers like Alexi Wasser, Peter Vack and Eugune Kotlyarenko — as well as a few shorts programs and some special screenings with the Film-Makers’ Co-Op and other NYC arts organizations. 

Though this initial incarnation of the festival was curated without formal submissions, the intention is to build enough infrastructure to have a more traditional submissions process in the future. In the meantime, the festival is built on NYC’s downtown film scene and showcasing work built from within that community. “I love that it’s highlighting a lot of incredible filmmakers that didn’t get into NYFF. It’s a reactionary film festival to something larger happening uptown; a place for downtown artists to congregate,” said Singer. 

The Downtown Festival founder Rebekah Sherman-Myntti

Why did you start this festival?

I believe it is essential for there to be a place for independent artists to come together and show their work. As the current state of festivals does not allow new artists and risk-takers to have a platform, I want The Downtown Festival to be a celebration of emerging and established artists across film, music and art in New York City. There is a really wonderful and palpable collaborative energy around the whole thing—I think that’s what happens when artists show up for their fellow artists and acknowledge that there is an alternative to today’s reality—and we can build it together. 

How does this festival differ from others?

The Downtown Festival is artists-for-artists. I find that most festivals today have lost their way—despite their original intentions of being champions of new voices and innovation, they’ve become platforms for commercial acts and corporate sponsorship. The independent artists featured in The Downtown Festival’s lineup are thrillingly experimental and willing to take risks. Also worth mentioning—another way in which The Downtown Festival is different is through its direct support of its featured artists—for example, Roxy Cinema (The Downtown Festival’s film hub) will give box office returns to the festival’s filmmakers.

What are the plans to incorporate music into the festival? 

The music weekend kicks off on October 11 and performances will take place at various one-of-a-kind venues around the city with the lineup featuring many amazing artists. Stay tuned for the announcements. 

What type of films are you looking to program?

The goal is to showcase bold and original independent films that provide audiences with unique cinematic experiences.  

A still from Or Something by Jeffrey Scotti Schroeder, screening October 4 at Roxy Cinema.

Tell me a bit about your own background.

I have been obsessed with film since I was a small child. In elementary school, I used to write in my notebook “A film by Rebekah. A Rebekah production. Ask for Rebekah anytime” over and over and over again. I’m not sure how I even knew what a “production” was when I was five—maybe from the opening credits of movies—but the idea was somehow clear in my head and I’ve known that this is what I want to do for a long time. Fast forward to now, I am a filmmaker and I run Simone Films, an independent production company based in New York City. I never imagined starting a festival but when the system doesn’t work, create your own.   

What does “when the system doesn’t work, create your own” mean for you?

It just means that, as artists, we don’t have to play by the rules of institutions that do not serve us or represent us. We don’t need to wait for someone to give us permission and we don’t need to be limited by current structures. It’s a form of rebellion I suppose. 

Is this festival an extension of Simone Films?

The festival is an extension of Simone Films in the sense that Simone Films is a very artists-for-artists production company as well as a community builder of like-minded people who appreciate and believe in independent art. That sense of collaborative community can be found at The Downtown Festival and also within Simone Films—they are all part of the same universe. 

What does filmmaking and the surrounding community mean to you? 

It means the world to me—that’s why I am so passionate about championing all of these independent artists. 

How would you describe the NYC indie film community today? 

There is a lot of really exciting talent coming out of New York City today and there’s a special community of people making films here. Because it’s a smaller pond, everyone knows everyone and I’ve found it to be a very supportive and collaborative group of artists. Hollywood always swings back to New York to see what’s coming out of this city—there are a lot of people and projects to be discovered here.  

The Downtown Festival takes place from October 4th-October 6th. View the full program—here.

WORDS Hillary Sproul